(no differnce in T or M versions of this chapter)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: A new family

In a dark room, a teenage looking girl with black and white hair and matching eyes looks at a magical projection. Next to her is the woman responsible for the projection, one of the Black Scripture, Keller Hellem. She had long blue hair and a large hat and is in her mid-thirties.

"Who are they?" The elf girl askes, though her elf ears are hidden under her long hair.

"Hard to say Lady Zesshi, but that spell they just used... I've only heard of it in legend... so we are dealing with beings of immense power." The projection showed a man in an orange pinstriped suit, girl, about the age of twelve a boy who was riding the back of a woman in a white dress. They all had strange masks on covering their faces. The man was holding a weird pink... thing. Zesshi looked closely at the items they were wearing. All of it did not belong in this world.

"Look... another one!" Keller Hellem said as another [GATE] portal opened up and many powerful magical beasts walked out... a veritable army of monsters stood at attention, they seemed to be controlled by the young boy riding the girl in the dress... was he the leader? Zesshi smiled... at last.

"Lady Zesshi! this is an emergency no matter how you look at it! I'll contact the capital and let them..." There was a flash of silver and the lady with blue hair was looking up at Zesshi and her own headless body. She tried to say something but died seconds later looking at the wicked smile on her former comrades face. Zesshi picked up the magical hat that held power from another land, just as her scythe did. She would collect as many of these gifts.

"That boy riding the girl... that will be my mate," her eyes looked at the older man, he would probably do as well... but she would need proof on who was the stronger, not just leader. She was still planned to fight the boy, but only to confirm he was as powerful as his position and gear made him seem. She walked past the top floor where she was supposed to be stationed and headed to the roof so lay eyes on her new friends first hand. However, she was not alone. The Captain of the Black Scripture stood watching.

"Why aren't you guarding the vault door?" Answer asked her when he saw she was armed he figured what was happening. he then noticed she was wearing the hat of the 11th seat.

"We've talked enough for you to know that Answer... if I can confirm their power, I will offer my body to the one that is most powerful of this army that will certainly crush you all." He readied his spear. She looked at the spear with a smile... that was another gift she'd like to get her hands on before she could purpose to her approaching allies.

"I figured as much... you were always a double-edged sword in this regard, I guess we get cut after all." He stood ready to die, he knew he had no chance of beating Zesshi.

"So you plan on actively attacking us? Why not just sit and watch us get overrun?" He asked, that was the only way he would live a little longer, he too saw the beasts that were makign their way to the tower... just one of them would be too much for him... and there were at least thirty coming at the tower.

"I figured it will make a better impression on my new mate," Zesshi said swinging her scythe around menacingly. He attempted to dash at her with his most powerful attack, but in a split second, she was gone and standing behind him. Did she use teleportation? Or was she simply too fast for him to track? it was the last question he would ask as her curved blade cut him in half easily, cutting past his plate armor like it was nothing. The separate halves of Answer fell to either side each other as he was killed instantly.

"Alright... let's go get some more items for my new husband!" She snickered picking up his lance and strapping it across her back. She then stood for a bot watching the oncoming magical beasts.

A bit earlier in the day at Nazarick...

"Eh? A mission? Okay... sure Mare is here. Okay, I'll let him know." Aura turned to Mare with a smile on her face. She was being carried by Shalltear who was not allowed to talk.

"Heads up Mare, Lord Momonga has a target for us." Aura said. Mare looked up at her worried.

"Oh... um, it won't be too... uh, dangerous will it?" Aura just laughed.

"What you still scared of that Dragon, Mare?" He shook his head back and forth, making his ears flop around in a cute manner.

"I...I'm not scared!" Aura laughed and patted her bothers head with a smile.

"Well hurry up then... Okay, Shalltear... [GATE] us over to Demiurge." Shalltear looked annoyed but wasn't allowed to say anything so just did as asked and the three went through it to meet Demiurge. They were in a room with Nigredo who was using her magic to look at a Black Tower.

"Ah, good you've arrived," Demiurge said when they walked through the portal.

'Yup, so what's this place we're gonna attack, is that it?" Aura asked pointing at the tower.

"Indeed. We have confirmed that our target, a girl named Zesshi is there and under heavy guard. She is to be taken prisoner and not killed. Outside of that, any tactics you two wish to use will be approved. Also, know that should an unexpected attack occur like in the Holy Kingdom, we will use Victim as a means to escape, but only as a lost resort of course. Both Dark Elf children looked at Demiurge and nodded that they understood. Shalltear started to fidget around.

"Shalltear idiot wants to know if she will help?" Demiurge shook his head.

"You will provide [GATE] spells and back up if we are ambushed only," Demiurge told her, really he'd prefer her not to go, but she was technically under orders from Aura so he really couldn't object. He put on his classic evil smiling mask as did Aura and Mare. Shalltear magically changed to her white dress and mask disguise.

"So, um... are we leaving right now?" Demiurge nodded and looked at Shalltear. She should have to the ability to [GATE] to the tower now that she's laid eyes on it. Demiurge, who was holding Victim followed the twins and Shalltear.

A full moon stood behind an ominous black tower, it was cold an silent. Shalltear cast another [GATE] and well over fifty magical beats all at least level 70 or higher walked through. This was just a portion of Aura's magical beast army. In her presence, they all would gain a buff raising their powers around 8 levels or so.

"Alright guys, listen up! You see that tower there? Go eat everyone you see! But stop when you reach the top floor okay? Also, do not eat any elf girls you see." Aura told her army of Magical beasts and they were off.

The appearance of this huge army, however, did not go unnoticed. A black and white-haired girl who looked to be around fifteen in age started looking down at the approaching beast with a smile.

"I never had any loyalty to you or The SlaneThoecracy... you all kept me locked up in this tower like a prisoner." she spat at the dead body of Answer.

Zesshi could see the outlines of four figures in the distance. She smiled... this was the day she had been waiting for. The day someone strong enough to attack the tower had come at last! She knew if anyone openly attacked this tower, they must know what was inside... a fair chance she'd meet someone of power.

"What's going on? We're under attack and no warning signal was spread!" A large man with two huge shields on his back yelled looking around and seeing the halved Answer.

"You... you betray us at last huh? What if this enemy means to simply kill you and loot our gear?" The red-haired man said taking his two large shields in his hands and arms. One could null any physical attack while the other would reflect magical attacks back at the caster... he figured he had a fair shot of holding out long enough for more people to come help. She just shrugged.

"If they are stronger and want to kill me...It is the reward for being strong... getting to choose the fate of the weak." She laughed and he knew that she had already chosen to betray them, whether or not the enemy was willing to talk.

"So you will just lay there and let them kill you?" The large man shook his head at that thought.

"Well... I'd offer my body to them first... if I do interest them... so be it. Your time is at an end... I feel all ours may be." Zesshi said as she spun her scythe and headed to meet the attackers, she suspected who they might be anyway.

"Zesshi... on my honor... what you just said, I cannot let stand!" he said taking a place between her and the exit. He held up his shields toward her in warning but the shaking let her know that he understood that he was about to die. Zesshi looked at him with disinterest.

"[REALITY SLASH]" She simply walked past him and flung her hand to one side as if she were swatting a fly. The large man's head fell off his body, seconds later a gush of fresh blood spewed forth from his headless body. It flopped tot he ground and Zesshi collected his shields.

"Sorry, Brute... but if you'd just been stronger than me... we could have had a different future," Zesshi muttered taking a seat. She would wait for her attackers... hopefully, they wanted a child... if not... then she would try and fight... but she could tell the power of the beasts that ran into her tower... their master must be a man of incredible power. The was the sound of a spell being cast and out of nowhere a man and with an orange suit and weird mask was standing behind her.

"Are you the one controlling these monsters?" Zesshi asked unsurprised by an enemy suddenly appearing before her. The man laughed.

"No, but may I assume you are the one know as "Zesshi"?" He asked. She was surprised he knew her name.

"You're not from my father are you?" She asked scowling... the only thing that could make her stay loyal at this point was if this man claimed to work for her father, The Elf King.

"No, we are... or rather... will be his enemy soon enough... are you his daughter?" She nodded and realized this was just the meeting she hoped she'd get.

"Yes, I am his daughter, but I only wish him death... moreover, I want to meet the controller of these beasts that are tearing apart my men... know that if you are willing to hear my requests... I will surrender this tower and it's objects of power to you." The man with a weird tail looked at her in interest.

"You are much more intersting than I thought you'd be... but I cannot spare a single life here other than yours." Zesshi laughed.

"That is not my concern... just guarantee my safety... and I will cooperate with you and your master." The man looked surprised.

"And just who do you think I work for?" She shrugged.

"You are either working for this... Airxeen I've heard about... or some other unknown enemy... either way... I assume the treasury is what you're after... I can open the door for you" He smiled and bowed.

"There... are many things I'd like to talk to you about as you are... much more intersting than I thought you'd be..." The masked man said as she led him to the vault she had guarded for many years. She touched it with her scythe and it opened.

"So... just what are your requests young one?"

"I want a child with the person controlling the beasts, or anyone strong as or strong than him," the masked man laughed but caught himself.

"Well, I fear that may not... work. However, if it just a strong mate you are looking for and are not picky... I believe we have a few men that would suit your needs." That answer was just fine with her.

"Then we have a deal." She said. There were no more stationed Black Scripture members here so the rest were just expandable guards.

"Take what you wish and we can leave whenever you are ready." The man looked in pleasure at the six items before him. He picked them up and made them vanish one by one then turned to her.

"Well then, Lady Zesshi, shall we go see your new home?" the man asked trying to control his excitement at the world item he just acquired. She smiled and nodded as he took her hand and they teleported from the tower together.

Once Arua's beasts had killed every last member in the tower and anything of worth or note was collected, Mare opened up the ground beneath the tower and sank it into the ground, crushing it to nothing but rubble then covering the earth back up to make it seem the tower had simply vanished. That should make who was to blame for this attack a mystery and make them think Zesshi might be dead.

Demiurge appeared with the Elf girl in hand, she seemed to be cooperating willingly but also not under his influence.

"Our target willing switched to our side and was a huge help in this mission, please welcome Zesshi to our fold," Demiurge said. She bowed and looked at the masked Aura with a weird smile.

"Nice to meet you Zesshi!" Aura said waving from the back of Shalltear.

"Yes... um, nice to meet you, you can call me Mare...' Mare said bowing and making sure his mask didn't slip off. Zesshi could see Aura's ears sticking out from the mask and tone of her skin.

"Um, are you a Dark Elf, Master..." Zesshi asked waiting for a name.

"Aura, and yeah, we are both Dark Elves." Zesshi looked at the one in a dress with disinterest, she figured Mare was a female. Mare had that weird pink thing in it's arms. Zesshi wondered what it was then it spoke.

"Hello, Zesshi! I am Victim, i am glad you have joined us... but i was looking forward to being useful!" It seemed to complain. mare just smiled and patted it on the head.

"I see... then..." Zesshi turned to the man she had already met.

"You may call me Demiurge." She nodded that she would do so.

"Oh and this one is stupid idiot, but she isn't allowed to talk so don't take that as a slight or anything." Aura said slapping Shalltear on her ass.

"Oh, well um hello... Lady Stupid Idiot, I look forward..." Zesshi was saying but Aura burst out into laughter and almost fell off her mount. Zesshi looked confused till Mare spoke up.

"Um, her real name.. is Um, Shalltear... my sister is just uh... teasing her," Mare explained.

"Sister?" Zesshi understood why Demiurge said it wouldn't work, she had misjudged the gender of Aura.

"I see..." she said with some disappointment.

"Well, that's all for this round of introductions... there will be MANY more I assure you, your new home is a full one." Zesshi liked the sound of that, as there were to many choices of mate then, also in line with what Demiurge had said earlier. Zesshi laughed at how easy the choice had been to betray the nation she never really cared about in the first place. Shalltear used yet another [GATE] and they all stepped through, Zessho hesitated but Mare took her hand in his and nodded.

"It'll be okay Zesshi... Nazarick is a really nice place!" Mare said as he led her to Nazarick.