"W-what, is it?" Louise asked as she looked at the rather large stone arch that she stood before in Yukari's garden. The arch was huge, easily tall enough for even the tallest Oni, and wide enough to easily have a wagon go through it, but it didn't seem to lead anywhere. The other thing she found odd about it was the fact that it seemed to be made of a strange deep green rock that looked almost like glass or crystal, and there were magical markings and runes carved into it.

Yukari walked up beside Louise and smiled to herself, gesturing toward the arch. "This is a gateway that I have constructed. It serves as a door between my garden, and Halkeginia, and also serves to . . . . negate a time differential between the two places."

"A time what?" Louise asked, unsure what the word Yukari had used meant.

"Remember that this world and your own homeland are different places, their senses of time are also different. While you have spent these last three days recuperating and learning at the Scarlet Devil Mansion, almost a week has passed in Halkeginia."

"So this arch will stop that from happening? It will make the amount of time that passes equal?"

"Yes, the reason I did this though is to negate any . . . . Well, I don't need to bore you with the minor details. It will allow you to go to Halkeginia at will, but it is not complete yet, it needs one last thing."

"What?"

"It needs a place to exist in Halkeginia. I have prepared it so that it will be created automatically when it is first used, but you must use it and choose where you will come out."

"And where I choose will be where the gate in Halkeginia will be then?"

"Yes."

Louise thought to herself for a moment. The best place in Halkeginia where she could go anywhere quick. Safety would possibly be an issue as well. After a few moments she nodded to herself and looked to Yukari. "I know where it will go."

Yukari nodded and took a few steps backwards, opening her fan and waving it toward herself. "Then as soon as Youmu arrives you may go through."

"Ah, what do you mean?" Louise asked, confused as to why Youmu was being brought up when she was under the impression that the Yukari knew she was meaning to visit her family, a visit long overdue."

"I asked Youmu and Marisa if they would like to come with you. They did after all assist your homeland in it's time of need. Marisa said she was busy, but Youmu accepted when Yuyuko told her to. She should be here presently."

Before Louise could say anything Youmu ran through the gardens, darting around bushes without so much as glancing them, and stopped in front of Louise and Yukari, bowing at the waist to Yukari. "I apologize for my lateness, Yukari Sama. Good morning Louise, thank you for allowing me to accompany you."

Louise looked at Youmu for a moment before sighing and smiling, "It's no problem Youmu."

Youmu noticed the sigh and looked to Yukari, and then back to Louise, "Did Yukari Sama not- . . .?" she let the rest of the sentence hang, knowing Louise would get it. Louise only nodded, prompting a sigh from Youmu,"Ah, I am sorry then."

"Is something wrong, Youmu?" Yukari asked, smiling gleefully, and causing both Louise and Youmu to shiver slightly.

"No nothing is wrong." Youmu replied quickly as she sidestepped towards Louise, and a bit away from Yukari, "Um, so how are we getting to Halkeginia then, Louise?"

"This arch will get us there, and once we go through it'll create another arch on that side supposedly." Louise replied to Youmu, before a stray thought crossed her mind and made her look to Yukari. "Could people in Halkeginia use the arch on the other side?"

Yukari shook her head. "No, I've designed it to be untouchable or see-able by anyone who has not been to my garden, unless they are allowed through by one who has. It will be completely safe."

Louise nodded and stepped up to the archway, looking it over and touching its surface lightly with her fingers. She could feel an immense amount of power in it ,so much that it put the spells and wards that Patchouli had been kind enough to show her the day before to shame. "How do I activate it?"

Yukari smiled and closed her fan, "Simply walk through it while thinking of where you want to other archway to be located, you will come out there. Then Youmu may go through."

Without saying a word Louise stepped through the arch, and disappeared as if she had never been there. There was no flash of light or magic, no chance to the scenery, she was just gone. A moment later a very surprised and now strangely nervous Youmu stepped up to the archway and swallowed. Going through Yukari sama's Sukima's had become something she was used to, but she wasn't too sure about this, especially when she could not see the other side.

Finally stepping through Youmu found herself standing in the middle of a dense forest, the canopy so thick that the only light that illuminated came from the light seeping through the tress ahead of her. Looking around she found the arch behind her just as Yukari said, but Louise was nowhere to be found.

Taking a few steps forward she found Louise, and when she stepped up beside her, found what Louise was looking at. The two of them were standing at the edge of the forest that was on top of a hill. Below them fields of green rolled away, towards a town in the distance. Far on the horizon snow-capped mountains poked up, and a cool breeze blew, allowing Youmu to smell the greenery around them. "Whoa," was all that left Youmu's lips.

"Pretty nice, huh? Is there anywhere you want to go, Youmu?" Louise asked with a smile, pleased that the arch had worked, and happy that she was back without a serious mission or goal.

"I'm just tagging along, so I'm fine with anywhere you want to go, especially since you didn't know I would be tagging along until just a moment ago." Youmu replied with a smile, enjoying the new scenery and landscape before her. "Now that I think of it though, where is Kusae?"

Louise smiled and tapped the sheath poking out of her sash, "she's been asleep for the last two days, partly because of that spell of Patchouli's that stopped her from transforming when I was fighting Flandre the first time. Yukari said it's still affecting her and that she'll wake up in about a day or two."

"Ah . . . so where to first?"

Louise thought to herself for a second then nodded, pointing to the city far below them among the hills and barely visible rivers, but what she actually was pointing toward was the large mansion a ways outside of the town, surrounded by white and red brick walls. "I want to say hi to my mother and sisters but . . . "

"But what?" Youmu asked, noticing Louise's simultaneously happy, and yet nervous face.

"My mother is a little strict, and my one sister is as well, so, don't react to what they do too fast. My family is a little, well, I guess it's a little odd, and I don't know how they'll react honestly."

Youmu tried to hold herself back but couldn't and started lightly laughing to herself, "That's what you're worried about? Didn't you say your mother seemed really happy to see you back at that battle?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Then I'm sure it'll be fine, Louise. You know them better than I do after all."

Louise nodded and began walking down the grassy hill, Youmu following her with a smile on her face. The air smelled crisp and clear, similar to Gensokyo's but different. All the same, it was a pleasant smell.

The hill held nothing special, and only when the two of them approached the main gate in the mansion's wall did Youmu notice something strange. Upon seeing them the guards perked up and stood at attention, keeping their gazes fixed more on herself than Louise.

"Lady Louise, please stay here while we go and inform your mother of-," the one guard began to say, stopping when Louise stepped beside him and placed her hand on the gate.

"That will not be necessary. Please return to your duties." Louise said calmly as she pushed open the gate and gestured for Youmu to follow with a quick motion of her head.

The guards seemed to glare at Youmu, but did not move to stop her as she walked past them, though it did feel like she wasn't welcome.

"They seem . . . . Nice," Youmu finally said as she and Louise walked down the main road toward its doors.

"I know, right," Louise said with a sarcastic snicker. "My mother employs only a small number of guards, much less than most nobles actually."

"Why is that?"

"Because," Louise said as she stopped in front of the mansions door and gripped the handle. "She's one of the four strongest mages in all of Tristania."

Before Youmu could ask how she was strong Louise opened the doors wide open and stepped into the mansion's foyer. The first thing Youmu noticed was that it's design was similar to the Scarlet Devil Mansion foyer, and that perhaps that was why in the three days they stayed there, Louise never got lost once, despite the fact that both Maria and herself still did on occasion.

The foyer was filled with bright carpets and numerous portraits on the walls, most of them seeming to be bolted to them with many metal bars on their sides as if they needed to be kept there for some reason. Just as Youmu stepped up behind Louise and was going to ask, a door to their right swung open and a woman stormed through it, right towards Louise with a look of sheer, anger and annoyance.

The woman reminded Youmu of Yukari by her looks, tall with a strong build and long blonde hair, but with her glasses and clothing that reminder quickly subsided, especially once she reached Louise and grabbed her cheeks with both hands. Not holding back she pulled on Louise's cheeks so hard she nearly lifted her up, all the while yelling so loudly that Youmu almost felt the need to cover her ears.

"Little Louise! Do you have any idea just what has been going on while you've been off Brimir knows where!? I swear when mother gets down here you will be so sorry! Why would you even think of giving up on your education, you little-!"

"Eleonore, that hurts!" Louise complained with a grimace as she placed her hands on her sister's arms, trying to remove them from her cheeks.

Eleonore let go of Louise's cheeks and placed her hands on her hips, glaring down at Louise as she continued. "And what is with those strange clothes? Was your school uniform not good enough? Are you planning on defaming our family name with such strange clothing? Like honestly, why would you-?"

"Now, now, Eleonore. Louise came back because she knew we worried I'm sure. Nagging her like that won't do anything good." the pink haired woman as tall as Eleonore said as she walked into the room and then knelt down beside Louise, instantly leaning forward and embracing her in a strong and loving hug. "I'm so glad you're okay, Louise!"

Louise seemed stunned for a moment before she hugged the girl back dearly, "I'm sorry for worrying you, Cattleya. I'm back."

The two of them seemed to hug for an eternity, and did not notice as a third woman walked down the foyer steps. While the woman named Eleonore had initially reminded Youmu of Yukari, this new woman reminded her of Yukari and Yuyuko, sharing their apparent nobility and the way they held themselves. She was as tall as Yuyuko Sama, and had hair as pink as the second woman and Louise, but hers was far longer and extremely well cared for. She had a very serious look on her face as she stepped off the last step and stopped a few feet away from Louise and Cattleya. "Louise."

Hearing the woman's voice both Cattleya and Louise let go of each other and quickly stood up, Cattleya stepping away so that she was between them." Oh, um-,"Louise began to say, but could not get the words out.

The woman, who Youmu presumed was Louise's mother, glared at her, and she could tell it made Louise nervous; it even made her nervous. "There are many things I want to say to you right now, but I think I'll start with this!" the woman said as she lifted an arm, looking like she was going to hit Louise, but then stepped forward and wrapped both arms around her in a tight embrace "I'm so happy you're safe. Don't do that to me!"

Louise seemed as shocked as Youmu was for a moment, but then quickly smiled and hugged her mother back, small tears forming at her eyes corners. "I'm back mom. Sorry for worrying you."

The two of them stayed there hugging each other for many minutes making no sound, until finally Louise's mother opened her eyes and noticed Youmu standing behind Louise. Letting go of Louise the two of them parted and her mother looked her in the eyes." There is much to talk about, but why don't we all get acquainted first."

Taking the hint Louise rubbed her eyes and stepped back, "Mom, Cattleya, Eleonore, this is my friend, Youmu Konpaku. Youmu, these are my sisters, Cattleya and Eleonore, and my mother."

Youmu bowed to them all properly, "It is a pleasure to meet you all. I can now see where Louise gets her skills from."

"How polite. I am Karin De la Vallière, the head of this family. It is a pleasure to meet you." Karin said with a smile, as she looked at everyone present, "why don't we take this conversation somewhere more pleasant."

A few minutes later, at Karin's behest they all sat around a smooth wood table in the mansion's garden. A soft wind blew, and everyone had a cup of tea before them, though Youmu could only initially glare at it unsure about its color.

"So, what have you been doing all this time, Louise? Disappearing right after you appear in battle with our mother is above rude, and especially disrespectful, don't you think?" Eleonore said seriously.

Louise seemed to shrink down from embarrassment, "Well, I wanted to stay, but I kind of hurt myself during it so I had to get treated. And then, things just . . . . . . . . ."

"That reminds me, Louise, it was in the middle of combat so I did not say anything about it, nor did I mention anything about it in my report because I wanted to get confirmation from you, but did you really use void magic against Michel during the battle at Tarbes?"

"Huh! You used Void magic!?" Both Cattleya and Eleonore screamed in shock, the mere idea of their little sister having used the Founder's magic being a terrible surprise.

Louise looked at her mother and sisters and instantly realized there was no way out of answering the question except by explaining the entire situation behind her magic to them, and explaining the different types of them. It would take a while, and depending on how she did it, things could go badly out of control. "Well, it'll take a while to explain, so . . ."

"It's fine. Ah how is the tea, Miss Youmu?" Karin asked quickly.

Youmu, who was very carefully sipping the tea, carefully placed the glass down on its plate making much more noise than most people would due to its , what she would say, strange shape, and smiled. "It's, um, different than what I'm used to."

"Oh, that' an interesting thing to say. We can get a different pot if you'd like."

"No, it's alright. I'll manage, and you want to hear what Louise says. I won't butt in, unless you need some help of course, Louise."

"I think I'll manage," Louise said to Youmu with a smile before she looked back to her sisters and her mother. "The magic I have does count as Void magic, but mainly in name.

"What do you mean? Is it not Void magic?" Cattleya asked warmly.

"No it is, but Void magic as a term is just a catchall for magic not of the four elements. The type of Magic I use is a type of Conceptual class magic called Oblivion magic."

"Oblivion, as in nothingness? How is that magic? Either it is the Founder's magic, or it isn't." Eleonore said strictly.

"Well, it is so . . . . Okay, it'll be easier to explain if I give you a more thorough overview of what I've learned, but it will take a long time, it that alright?"

"Of course it's alright, Louise. I'm interested in everything that has happened to you, so if you'd like you could just tell us everything. Okay?"

Louise nodded and then looked to Youmu, seeing her nod, then looked back to her family. "Alright, then I guess I'll start from the beginning."

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"So, I hear you are to thank for my renewed health then." Michel, previously known as Duke Vallière said to the man sitting in the throne in front of him.

The King of Gallia smiled and shook his head. "I merely instructed my people to bring you back to health. If you wish to thank someone, it should be them. But I must know something, now that you know I am the leader of the group you so readily joined, what will you do?"

Michel smiled fanatically and raised the stump that had once been his dominant arm. "This land needs to change and losing my dominant arm will not change that fact, I am all yours."

"Excellent, take your time in regaining your strength. I shall have my familiar, Sheffield, assist you as necessary, she will just need to-."

"My Lord, we have a serious problem!" Sheffield yelled as she ran into the room, her clothing disheveled and her head covered in sweat. It looked like she had just shaken off an angry mob, or had perhaps seen the ghost of someone she had killed in her master's name.

"Sheffield, you know I do not like being interrupted!" Joseph said seriously, his eyes nearly gazing daggers at his familiar.

"I am sorry, my Lord, but this cannot wait. We have to evacuate the city immediately!"

Joseph looked at Sheffield with his face a cross between confusion and disgust. "What are you talking about? We are not yet at war, and no other country knows our plans. There is no need to evacuate and-,"

"My Lord, every river in your domain is flooding!" Sheffield stated seriously, her tone harsh and serious.

"Excuse me?" Joseph asked, unsure that he heard his familiar correctly.

"The rivers are flooding, as are the lakes all across your domain, my Lord. Most low farmland is already been turned to swamp, and some outlying towns have completely been cut off. Some have even been swallowed whole by the rising waters."

"Rivers were flooding our lands and you did not tell me sooner! Why?"

"No, my Lord, this was just reported to me. Apparently the rivers all began rising and flooding areas less than a day ago. It's happening so fast it has to be water spirits or powerful water mages doing it."

Joseph nodded to his familiar, his way of telling her he was sorry for making such an assumption as he got up and walked over to a window of his throne room and looked down at his city. Immediately he could see the shimmer of water on the horizon, and the nearby lake that fed his grand city was far too large, it's edge creeping onto the road and nearing the city's walls. "This is too fast, and is far from natural, but what manner of mage could cause this over such an area? No spirit could affect more than just the area around them, what is causing this?" joseph muttered to himself as he stroked his beard.

"My Lord, we must act. What are your orders." Sheffield asked, prompting Joseph to turn to her and Michel.

Joseph nodded. "Alright, get down to the city. Prepare it for the oncoming waters in every possible way. Michel, I am sorry to ask this so soon, but please assist Sheffield however you can in this matter."

"Very well, but, may I ask what you will be doing?"

"I will be joining this battle, just as soon as I check on something. Now go." Joseph ordered watching as the two of them left him alone in the throne room. Taking a piece of paper he quickly and elegantly began writing a letter, a letter that contained words he wished to never have to say in front of anyone. "I am loathe to request assistance from our foes to be, but if I am to find out who is doing this to my lands, I must have them send their best water mages, so I may find the culprit. I must request they send help." Joseph groaned to himself as he finished the first letter and then began writing another identical one. It was going to be a long day, and even a longer night if he did not find the culprit behind this sudden flooding.

Authors note: whooo another chapter! Things are crawling forward swimmingly now and I hope everyone likes how things are going!

On a side note the next chapter likely will not come out for two weeks on the reasoning that my work is increasing in hours and I am going to a convention this next weekend, and the weekends are when I get most of my writing done. So yeah, next chapter not insanely soon. but still look forward to it !